Layout for reduced cross-talk in common terminal transistor

ABSTRACT

A microelectronic device has a common terminal transistor with two or more channels, and sense transistors in corresponding areas of the channels. The channels and the sense transistors share a common node in a semiconductor substrate. The sense transistors are configured to provide sense currents that are representative of currents through the corresponding channels. The sense transistors are located so that a ratio of the channel currents to the corresponding sense currents is less than a target value of cross-talk. The microelectronic device may be implemented without a compensation circuit which provides a compensation signal used to adjust one or more of the sense currents to reduce cross-talk. A method of forming the microelectronic device, including estimating a potential distribution in the semiconductor substrate containing the common node of the common terminal transistor, and selecting locations for the sense transistors based on the estimated potential distribution, is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/783,436, filed on Feb. 6, 2020, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/947,389, filed on Apr. 6, 2018, whichclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/583,701, filed on Nov. 9, 2017, which Applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of microelectronic devices. Moreparticularly, this disclosure relates to common terminal transistors inmicroelectronic devices.

BACKGROUND

A widely used common terminal transistor is an n-channel metal oxidesemiconductor (NMOS) transistor, with a common drain in an n-typesemiconductor region, and two or more channels having sources of thecommon terminal transistor, controlled by separate gates. The commonterminal NMOS transistor may be used to provide current through separateloads connected in series to the channels. The common terminaltransistor has a sense NMOS transistor for each channel to monitorcurrent through the corresponding channel. It is desirable to havecurrent through each sense transistor to be representative of thecurrent through the corresponding channel and to be independent ofcurrents through the other channels, that is, to have low cross-talk.This is commonly attained by having a compensation circuit whichprovides a compensation signal used to adjust the current through thesense transistor to reduce the cross-talk. The compensation circuitincreases the area of the microelectronic device containing the commonterminal transistor, undesirably increasing fabrication cost.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure introduces a microelectronic device having acommon terminal transistor with two or more channels, and sensetransistors in corresponding areas of the channels. The channels and thesense transistors share a common node in a semiconductor region. Thesense transistors are configured to provide sense currents that arerepresentative of currents through the corresponding channels over anoperational current range factor. The sense transistors are located sothat a ratio of the channel currents to the corresponding sense currentsis less than a target level of dependence on currents through the otherchannels. The microelectronic device may be implemented without acompensation circuit which provides a compensation signal used to adjustone or more of the sense currents to reduce cross-talk. The presentdisclosure introduces a method of forming the microelectronic device,including estimating a potential distribution in the semiconductorregion containing the common node of the common terminal transistor, andselecting locations for the sense transistors based on the estimatedpotential distribution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section of an example microelectronic device having acommon terminal transistor.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an example microelectronic devicecontaining a common terminal transistor.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example microelectronic device containing acommon terminal transistor.

FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating cross-talk of a sense transistor in acommon terminal transistor.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of another example microelectronic devicehaving a common terminal transistor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart disclosing an example method of forming amicroelectronic device containing a common terminal transistor.

FIG. 7 is a view of an example microelectronic device having a commonterminal transistor, depicting current flows into and out of themicroelectronic device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart disclosing an example method of determining afirst sense location and a second sense location for a microelectronicdevice containing a common terminal transistor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is described with reference to the attachedfigures. The figures are not drawn to scale and they are provided merelyto illustrate the disclosure. Several aspects of the disclosure aredescribed below with reference to example applications for illustration.It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships,and methods are set forth to provide an understanding of the disclosure.The present disclosure is not limited by the illustrated ordering ofacts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/orconcurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustratedacts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordancewith the present disclosure.

A microelectronic device has a common terminal transistor with a commonnode in a semiconductor region. The common terminal transistor has twoor more channels. The common terminal transistor may be, in one aspect,a common terminal n-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistorhaving a common drain in an n-type semiconductor region, and two or morechannels having channel nodes which are source nodes. In this aspect, afirst channel may be a first NMOS transistor, a first sense transistormay be a second NMOS transistor, a second channel may be a third NMOStransistor, and a second sense transistor may be a fourth NMOStransistor. Current through each channel is controlled by acorresponding gate. In another aspect, the common terminal transistormay be a common terminal NMOS transistor having a common source in ann-type semiconductor region, and two or more channels with channel nodeswhich are drain nodes, wherein current through each channel iscontrolled by a corresponding gate.

In a further aspect, the common terminal transistor may be a commonterminal p-channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistor having acommon drain in a p-type semiconductor region, and two or more channelshaving channel nodes which are source nodes, with current through eachchannel being controlled by a corresponding gate. In yet another aspect,the common terminal transistor may be a common terminal PMOS transistorhaving a common source in a p-type semiconductor region, and two or morechannels with channel nodes which are drain nodes, wherein currentthrough each channel is controlled by a corresponding gate.

In another aspect of the instant disclosure, the common terminaltransistor may be an NPN bipolar junction transistor having a commoncollector in an n-type semiconductor region, and two or more channelswith channel nodes which are emitter nodes, with current through eachchannel being controlled by a corresponding base. In a further aspect,the common terminal transistor may be an NPN bipolar junction transistorhaving a common emitter in an n-type semiconductor region, and two ormore channels with channel nodes which are collector nodes, with currentthrough each channel being controlled by a corresponding base.

In a further aspect of the instant disclosure, the common terminaltransistor may be a PNP bipolar junction transistor having a commoncollector in a p-type semiconductor region, and two or more channelswith channel nodes which are emitter nodes, with current through eachchannel being controlled by a corresponding base. In a further aspect,the common terminal transistor may be a PNP bipolar junction transistorhaving a common emitter in a p-type semiconductor region, and two ormore channels having channel nodes which are collector nodes, withcurrent through each channel being controlled by a corresponding base.

In one aspect, the common terminal transistor may be a verticaltransistor, in which the common node extends to a first surface of themicroelectronic device, and the channels extend to a second surface ofthe microelectronic device which is opposite from the first surface. Inthis aspect, a first channel may be a first vertical transistor, a firstsense transistor may be a second vertical transistor, a second channelmay be a third vertical transistor, and a second sense transistor may bea fourth vertical transistor. In another aspect, the common terminaltransistor may be a lateral transistor, in which the common node and thechannels extend to a same surface of the microelectronic device. In thisaspect, a first channel may be a first lateral transistor, a first sensetransistor may be a second lateral transistor, a second channel may be athird lateral transistor, and a second sense transistor may be a lateralvertical transistor.

The common terminal transistor has a sense transistor for each channel.For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “sense transistor” doesnot imply the sense transistor is separate from the common terminaltransistor, but rather, the term “sense transistor” is used to conformto common practice. Each sense transistor is part of the common terminaltransistor wherein all the sense transistors and all the channels sharethe common node. The sense transistor has a same transistor type andpolarity as the common terminal transistor. For example, in a case inwhich the common terminal transistor is an NMOS transistor, each senseresistor is also an NMOS transistor. Each sense transistor has a nodethat shares the common node with the channels. Each sense transistor hasa sense node located at the same surface of the microelectronic deviceas the corresponding channel node. The sense transistor is located inthe corresponding channel, wherein the corresponding channel islaterally adjacent to the sense transistor on at least three sides ofthe sense transistor, with two of the sides being opposite from eachother. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “laterally” refersto a direction parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate towhich the common node extends. Each sense transistor is configured toprovide a sense current that is representative of a channel currentthrough the corresponding channel, according to a sense ratio. Therelationship between the sense current and a corresponding channelcurrent will be referred to herein as a sense ratio. In one aspect ofthis disclosure, the sense ratio may be a numerical ratio of the channelcurrent to the sense current. In one aspect of this disclosure, thesense transistors may be configured to provide sense currents that arelinearly proportional to the corresponding channel currents. In anotheraspect, the sense transistors may be configured to provide sensecurrents that are proportional to the corresponding channel currents,with offsets. Other relationships between the sense currents and thecorresponding channel currents are within the scope of the instantdisclosure. Examples in this disclosure will be described for linearrelationships between the sense currents and the corresponding channelcurrents. Other relationships between the sense current and thecorresponding channel current may be applied to the examples. The termsense ratio may be applied to these relationships without obscuring thespecific relationship between the sense current and the correspondingchannel current. The sense transistors are configured to provide sensecurrents that are representative of the corresponding channel currentsover an operational current range factor of the channel currentsencountered during operation of the microelectronic device. For example,the operational current range factor may be greater than 30 for arelatively small channel which has a maximum operating current of 3amps. The operational current range factor may be greater than 100 for alarger channel which has a maximum operating current of 10 amps. Theoperational current range covers an expected range of channel currentsduring operation of the microelectronic device. The range factor is aratio of an upper value of the operational current range to a lowervalue of the operational current range. In one aspect of thisdisclosure, the sense currents may be proportional to the correspondingchannel currents. The sense transistors are located so that a ratio ofthe channel currents to the corresponding sense currents is less than atarget level of dependence on channel currents through the otherchannels, that is, cross-talk. For the purposes of this disclosure,cross-talk is a ratio of the dependence of the sense current on channelcurrents through the other channels to the dependence of the sensecurrent on the corresponding channel current. For example, the targetlevel of cross-talk may be less than 1 percent.

The microelectronic device may be implemented without a compensationcircuit which samples the substrate potential in the semiconductorregion of the common node proximate to one or more of the other channelnodes, and provides a compensation signal used to adjust one or more ofthe sense currents through the sense transistors to reduce thecross-talk. An example compensation circuit is disclosed in U. S. PatentPublication 2017/0030948A1.

The microelectronic device may be formed by estimating a potentialdistribution in a semiconductor region containing a common node of thecommon terminal transistor, and selecting locations for the sensetransistors based on the estimated potential distribution. The potentialdistribution may be estimated by solving Poisson's equation for thespecific orientation of the common node and channels. The estimatedpotential distribution that was attained by solving Poisson's equationmay be further refined by using a three dimensional modeling softwareprogram.

Locations for the sense nodes are selected using the estimated potentialdistribution. A semiconductor substrate is provided having an area forthe microelectronic device. An ion implant mask is generated on thesemiconductor substrate which exposes areas for the sense nodes at theselected locations, and areas for the corresponding channel nodes. Thearea for each channel node is laterally adjacent to the correspondingsense node on at least three sides of the sense node, with two of thesides being opposite from each other. Dopants are implanted into thesemiconductor substrate to form doped regions for the channel nodes andthe corresponding sense nodes. A compensation circuit is not formed inthe microelectronic device.

FIG. 1 is a cross section of an example microelectronic device having acommon terminal transistor. The microelectronic device 100 has asemiconductor substrate 102, which may include silicon or othersemiconductor substrate. The microelectronic device 100 includes thecommon terminal transistor 104. The instant example will disclose avertical common terminal NMOS transistor 104. Other transistor types,polarities, and orientations of the common terminal transistor 104 arewithin the scope of the instant example. The common terminal transistor104 has a common drain 106 extending to a first surface 108 of thesemiconductor substrate 102. The microelectronic device 100 may have adrain terminal 110 including a metal contact layer on the first surface108, making electrical contact to the common drain 106.

The common terminal transistor 104 of the instant example includes afirst channel 112 and a second channel 114. The first channel 112 andthe second channel 114 have a same transistor type, for example, metaloxide semiconductor (MOS) or bipolar junction. The first channel 112 andthe second channel 114 have a same polarity, for example, n-channel,p-channel, NPN, or PNP. The first channel 112 and the second channel 114have a same orientation, for example, lateral or vertical. The firstchannel 112 and the second channel 114 share the common drain 106.

The first channel 112 includes a first channel source 116 and a firstchannel gate 118, proximate to a second surface 120 of the semiconductorsubstrate 102. In the instant example, for a vertical orientation of thecommon terminal transistor 104, the second surface 120 is different fromthe first surface 108 and is located at a surface of the semiconductorsubstrate 102 opposite from the first surface 108. The first channel 112may have vertical separators 122, manifested as deep trenches 122, inthe semiconductor substrate 102 to provide a desired drain structurebetween the common drain 106 and the first channel source 116. The firstchannel source 116 and the first channel gate 118 may be distributedthroughout the first channel 112, as indicated in FIG. 1.

The common terminal transistor 104 includes a first sense transistor124. The first sense transistor 124 has the same transistor type,polarity, and orientation as the first channel 112, which, in theinstant example, is a vertical NMOS transistor. The first sensetransistor 124 shares the common drain 106 with the first channel 112and the second channel 114. The first sense transistor 124 has a firstsense source 126 and a first sense gate 128. The first sense transistor124 is located in the first channel 112, wherein the first channel 112is laterally adjacent to the first sense transistor 124 on at leastthree sides of the first sense transistor 124, with two of the sidesbeing opposite from each other.

The first sense transistor 124 is configured to provide a first sensecurrent that is representative of a first channel current through thefirst channel 112 over an operational current range, for example anoperational current range factor greater than 30 to greater than 100,depending on the current capacity of the first channel 112. In oneexample, the first sense current may be proportional to the firstchannel current. The first sense transistor 124 is located so that aratio of the first channel current to the first sense current, referredto as a first sense ratio, has less than a target level of cross-talk,for example, less than 1 percent cross-talk. The first sense gate 128 ofthe first sense transistor 124 may be electrically coupled to the firstchannel gate 118 of the first channel 112, to provide a desiredrelationship between the first sense current and the first channelcurrent.

The second channel 114 has a same configuration as the first channel112. In the instant example, the second channel 114 may be smaller thanthe first channel 112, as indicated in FIG. 1. In other versions of theinstant example, the second channel 114 may the same size as the firstchannel 112, or may be larger than the first channel 112. The secondchannel 114 has a second channel source, not shown in FIG. 1, and asecond channel gate, also not shown in FIG. 1, which may be distributedthroughout the second channel 114, similarly to the first channel source116 and the first channel gate 118.

The common terminal transistor 104 includes a second sense transistor130. The second sense transistor 130 has the same transistor type,polarity, and orientation as the first channel 112. The second sensetransistor 130 shares the common drain 106 with the first channel 112and the second channel 114. The second sense transistor 130 has a secondsense source, not shown in FIG. 1, and a second sense gate, also notshown in FIG. 1, similar to the first sense source 126 and the firstsense gate 128. The second sense transistor 130 is located in the secondchannel 114, wherein the second channel 114 is laterally adjacent to thesecond sense transistor 130 on at least three sides of the second sensetransistor 130, with two of the sides being opposite from each other.The second sense gate of the second sense transistor 130 may beelectrically coupled to the second channel gate of the second channel114, to provide a desired relationship between the second sense currentand the second channel current.

The second sense transistor 130 is configured to provide a second sensecurrent that is representative of a second channel current through thesecond channel 114 over an operational current range, for example, anoperational current range factor greater than 30 to greater than 100,depending on the current capacity of the second channel 114. The secondsense current may be proportional to the second channel current. Thesecond sense transistor 130 is located so that a ratio of the secondchannel current to the second sense current, referred to as a secondsense ratio, has less than a target level of cross-talk, for example,less than 1 percent cross-talk.

The microelectronic device 100 may include pads 132, such as bond padsor bump pads, providing connections to the first channel source 116, thefirst channel gate 118, the first sense source 126, the first sense gate128, the second channel source, the second channel gate, the secondsense source, and the second sense gate. The first channel gate 118 andthe first sense gate 128 may optionally be coupled to a first pad 132 aof the pads 132, and the second channel gate and the second sense gatemay optionally be coupled a second pad 132 b of the pads 132.

The first channel source 116 may be contacted by a first channelterminal 132 c, which may be manifested as a portion of a metal layerextending over the first channel 112, as depicted in FIG. 1. The firstsense source 126 may be contacted by a first sense terminal 132 d, whichmay be manifested by another portion of the metal layer providing thefirst channel terminal 132 c. Similarly, the second channel source maybe contacted by a second channel terminal 132 e, which may be manifestedas a further portion of the metal layer extending over the secondchannel 114, as depicted in FIG. 1. The second sense source may becontacted by a second sense terminal 132 f, which may be manifested byyet another portion of the metal layer providing the first channelterminal 132 c. Connections to the first channel terminal 132 c, thefirst sense terminal 132 d, the second channel terminal 132 e, and thesecond sense terminal 132 f may be provided by wire bonds, bump bonds,solder clips, or other connections.

The microelectronic device 100 may be implemented without a compensationcircuit which samples the substrate potential in the semiconductorregion of the common node under one or more of the other channels, andprovides a compensation signal used to adjust the current through thechannel to reduce the cross-talk. Having the microelectronic device 100without a compensation circuit may enable a smaller area for themicroelectronic device 100 compared to a similar microelectronic devicehaving a compensation circuit, advantageously reducing a fabricationcost of the microelectronic device 100 compared to the similarmicroelectronic device with the compensation circuit.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an example microelectronic devicecontaining a common terminal transistor. The microelectronic device 200includes the common terminal transistor 204, which has a first channel212 labeled “CHAN 1” in FIG. 2, a first sense transistor 224 labeled“SENSE 1”, a second channel 214 labeled “CHAN 2”, and a second sensetransistor 230 “SENSE 2”, all configured in parallel. The first channel212, the first sense transistor 224, the second channel 214, and thesecond sense transistor 230 share a common node 206 which is a commondrain 206 in the instant example, and which has a distributed resistanceindicated schematically in FIG. 2 by the resistor network with resistiveelements labeled “R_(SUB)”. The common drain 206 is connected to a drainterminal 210 of the microelectronic device 200.

A first channel source 216 of the first channel 212 may be connected toa first channel terminal 232 c of the microelectronic device 200. Afirst sense source 226 may be connected to a first sense terminal 232 dof the microelectronic device 200. A second channel source 234 of thesecond channel 214 may be connected to a second channel terminal 232 eof the microelectronic device 200. A second sense source 236 may beconnected to a second sense terminal 232 f of the microelectronic device200. A first channel gate 218 of the first channel 212 and a first sensegate 228 of the first sense transistor 224 may be connected to a firstgate terminal 232 a of the microelectronic device 200. A second channelgate 238 of the second channel 214 and a second sense gate 240 of thesecond sense transistor 230 may be connected to a second gate terminal232 b of the microelectronic device 200.

During operation of the microelectronic device 200, a first load may beconnected to the first channel terminal 232 c, so that a first loadcurrent flows through the first channel 212. The first load current maybe adjusted by varying a first bias potential applied to the first gateterminal 232 a. A first sense circuit may be connected to the firstsense terminal 232 d and to the first channel terminal 232 c; the firstsense circuit may be configured to produce a first sense current throughthe first sense transistor 224 which is representative of the first loadcurrent. Similarly, a second load may be connected to the second channelterminal 232 e, so that a second load current flows through the secondchannel 214. The second load current may be adjusted by varying a secondbias potential applied to the second gate terminal 232 b. A second sensecircuit may be connected to the second sense terminal 232 f and to thesecond channel terminal 232 e; the second sense circuit may beconfigured to produce a second sense current through the second sensetransistor 230 which is representative of the second load current. Thefirst sense circuit is not directly connected to the second channelterminal 232 e or the second sense terminal 232 f, nor is the secondsense circuit directly connected to the first channel terminal 232 c orthe first sense terminal 232 d.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example microelectronic device containing acommon terminal transistor. The microelectronic device 300 includes thecommon terminal transistor 304 which has a first channel 312 labeled“CHAN 1” in FIG. 3, and a second channel 314 labeled “CHAN 2”, adjacentto the first channel 312. In this example, the first channel 312 may belarger than the second channel 314, as depicted in FIG. 3.

The common terminal transistor 304 includes a first sense transistor 324located in the first channel 312, wherein the first channel 312 islaterally adjacent to the first sense transistor 324 on at least threesides of the first sense transistor 324, with two of the sides beingopposite from each other. The first sense transistor 324 is located sothat a ratio of a first channel current through the first channel 312 toa first sense current through the first sense transistor 324, referredto as a first sense ratio, has less than a target value of cross-talk,for example less than 1 percent cross-talk. A first center 342 of thefirst sense transistor 324 is located a first lateral distance 344 froma center point 346 between the first channel 312 and the second channel314.

The common terminal transistor 304 includes a second sense transistor330 located in the second channel 314, wherein the second channel 314 islaterally adjacent to the second sense transistor 330 on at least threesides of the second sense transistor 330, with two of the sides beingopposite from each other. The second sense transistor 330 is located sothat a ratio of a second channel current through the second channel 314to a second sense current through the second sense transistor 330 hasless than the target value of cross-talk. A second center 348 of thesecond sense transistor 330 is located a second lateral distance 350from the center point 346 between the first channel 312 and the secondchannel 314. In this example, the first lateral distance 344 is lessthan the second lateral distances 350, as a result of the first channel312 being larger than the second channel 314.

FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating cross-talk of a sense transistor in acommon terminal transistor. For example purposes, the common terminaltransistor may be configured as disclosed in reference to FIG. 2, havinga first channel, a first sense transistor located in the first channel,a second channel, and a second sense transistor located in the secondchannel.

The horizontal axis of the chart quantifies a second channel currentthrough the second channel. The second channel current includes anoperational current range from I_(2-LOW) to I_(2-HIGH), as indicated inFIG. 4. The second channel current may have an operational current rangefactor greater than 30.

The vertical axis of the chart quantifies a ratio of a first channelcurrent through the first channel to a first sense current through thefirst sense transistor, referred to as a first sense ratio. A value ofthe first sense ratio, for a condition of zero second channel current,is labeled “R₀” on the vertical axis in FIG. 4.

A desired operating condition is for the first sense ratio to beconstant across the current range of the second channel current, thatis, for the first sense ratio to maintain the value R₀ across thecurrent range of the second channel current. This desired operatingcondition is depicted in the chart by the horizontal dashed line labeled“NO CROSS-TALK” in FIG. 4.

A condition of +1 percent cross-talk occurs when the first sense ratioincreases by 1 percent from the value R₀, that is, to a value 1.01 R₀.The condition of +1 percent cross-talk is depicted in the chart by thehorizontal dashed line labeled “+1 PERCENT CROSS-TALK” in FIG. 4.Similarly, a condition of −1 percent cross-talk occurs when the firstsense ratio decreases by 1 percent from the value R₀, that is, to avalue 0.99 R₀. The condition of −1 percent cross-talk is depicted in thechart by the horizontal dashed line labeled “−1 PERCENT CROSS-TALK” inFIG. 4.

A first performance curve depicts the first sense ratio for a value ofthe first channel current equal to a lower range value, I_(1-LOW), as afunction of the second channel current. The first performance curve islabeled “FIRST DRIVE CURRENT=I_(1-LOW)” in FIG. 4. A second performancecurve depicts the first sense ratio for a value of the first channelcurrent equal to an upper range value, I_(1-HIGH), as a function of thesecond channel current. The second performance curve is labeled “FIRSTDRIVE CURRENT=I_(1-HIGH)” in FIG. 4. The upper range value, I_(1-HIGH),of the first channel current is an upper value of an operational currentrange of the first channel current, and I_(1-LOW) is a lower value ofthe operational current range of the first channel current. Forming thecommon terminal transistor with the first sense transistor located sothat the first sense ratio has less than the target level cross-talk ismanifested by both the first performance curve and the secondperformance curve lying between the horizontal dashed lines indicatingthe condition of the maximum target cross-talk and the condition of theminimum target cross-talk, that is, the lines labeled MAXIMUM TARGETCROSS-TALK” and “MINIMUM TARGET CROSS-TALK” in FIG. 4. This condition ofthe cross-talk being with the maximum and minimum target cross-talkvalues is depicted in FIG. 4.

A similar chart to the chart of FIG. 4 may be generated for a ratio of asecond channel current through the second channel to the second sensecurrent, referred to as a second sense ratio, as a function of the firstchannel current. Forming the common terminal transistor with the secondsense transistor located so that the second sense ratio has less thanthe target cross-talk level is manifested by performance curves of thesecond sense ratio lying between the condition of the maximum cross-talktarget level and the condition of the minimum cross-talk target level.The performance curves span an operational current range of the secondchannel current.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of another example microelectronic devicehaving a common terminal transistor. The microelectronic device 500 hasa semiconductor substrate 502, and the common terminal transistor 504.The instant example will disclose a lateral common terminal NPN bipolarjunction transistor 504. Other transistor types, polarities, andorientations of the common terminal transistor 504 are within the scopeof the instant example. The common terminal transistor 504 has a commonnode 506 which is a common collector 506 in the instant example. Thecommon collector 506 extends to a first surface 508 of the semiconductorsubstrate 502. The common collector 506 may contact an n-type buriedlayer 554 located in the semiconductor substrate 502. The commonterminal transistor 504 of the instant example includes a first channel512 and a second channel 514. The first channel 512 and the secondchannel 514 have a same transistor type, a same polarity, and a sameorientation. The first channel 512 and the second channel 514 share thecommon collector 506.

The first channel 512 includes a first channel emitter 516 and a firstchannel base 518, extending to the first surface 508. The first channelemitter 516 and the first channel base 518 may be distributed throughoutthe first channel 512, as indicated in FIG. 5. The common terminaltransistor 504 includes a first sense transistor 524. The first sensetransistor 524 has the same transistor type, polarity, and orientationas the first channel 512, which, in the instant example, is a lateralNPN bipolar junction transistor. The first sense transistor 524 sharesthe common collector 506 with the first channel 512 and the secondchannel 514. The first sense transistor 524 has a first sense emitter526 and a first sense base 528. The first sense transistor 524 islocated in the first channel 512, wherein the first channel 512 islaterally adjacent to the first sense transistor 524 on at least threesides of the first sense transistor 524, with two of the sides beingopposite from each other. The first sense transistor 524 is configuredto provide a first sense current that is representative of a firstchannel current through the first channel 512 over an operationalcurrent range. The first sense transistor 524 is located so that a ratioof the first channel current to the first sense current, referred to asa first sense ratio, has less than a target cross-talk level.

The second channel 514 has a same configuration as the first channel512. In the instant example, the second channel 514 may be smaller thanthe first channel 512, as indicated in FIG. 5. In other versions of theinstant example, the second channel 514 may the same size as the firstchannel 512, or may be larger than the first channel 512. The secondchannel 514 has a second channel emitter 556 and a second channel base558, which may be distributed throughout the second channel 514,similarly to the first channel emitter 516 and the first channel base518.

The common terminal transistor 504 includes a second sense transistor530. The second sense transistor 530 has the same transistor type,polarity, and orientation as the first channel 512. The second sensetransistor 530 shares the common collector 506 with the first channel512 and the second channel 514. The second sense transistor 530 has asecond sense emitter 560 and a second sense base 562, similar to thefirst sense emitter 526 and the first sense base 528. The second sensetransistor 530 is located in the second channel 514, wherein the secondchannel 514 is laterally adjacent to the second sense transistor 530 onat least three sides of the second sense transistor 530, with two of thesides being opposite from each other. The second sense transistor 530 isconfigured to provide a second sense current that is representative of asecond channel current through the second channel 514 over anoperational current range. The second sense transistor 530 is located sothat a ratio of the second channel current to the second sense current,referred to as a second sense ratio, has less than a target cross-talklevel. The microelectronic device 500 is free of a compensation circuit,which may accrue the advantage discussed in reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart disclosing an example method of forming amicroelectronic device containing a common terminal transistor. Themethod 600 begins with step 602: providing a semiconductor substrate.For example, the semiconductor substrate may include a portion of asemiconductor wafer. The substrate includes a region for a commonterminal transistor. The common terminal transistor includes a commonnode, which may include, for example, a common drain, a common source, acommon collector, or a common emitter. The common terminal transistormay include features of any of the examples disclosed herein withrespect to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 5. The region for a common terminaltransistor includes a first region for a first channel of the commonterminal transistor, and a region for a second channel of the commonterminal transistor.

Step 604 is estimating a potential distribution in the semiconductorregion in the first region and in the second region, for a condition ofa first channel current through the first channel and a second channelcurrent through the second channel. The potential distribution may havea common node value across the common node. The potential distributionmay have a first channel value across a first distributed channel nodeof the first channel, and may have a second channel value across asecond distributed channel node of the second channel.

Step 606 is determining a first sense location in the first region for afirst sense transistor. The first sense transistor is configured toprovide a first sense ratio over a first operational current range ofthe first channel current. The first sense location is selected so thatthe first sense ratio has less than a target cross-talk level over asecond operational current range of the second channel current. Thefirst sense location is selected so that the first channel is laterallyadjacent to the first sense transistor on at least three sides of thefirst sense transistor, with two of the sides being opposite from eachother.

Step 608 is determining a second sense location in the second region fora second sense transistor. The second sense transistor is configured toprovide a second sense ratio over the second operational current rangeof the second channel current. The second sense location is selected sothat the second sense ratio has less than the target cross-talk levelover the first operational current range of the first channel current.The second sense location is selected so that the second channel islaterally adjacent to the second sense transistor on at least threesides of the second sense transistor, with two of the sides beingopposite from each other.

Step 610 is fabricating the microelectronic device, including the commonterminal transistor with the first channel and the second channel, andthe first sense transistor located as determined by step 606, and thesecond sense transistor located as determined by step 608. Fabricationof the microelectronic device may include forming a mask to defineplacement of dopants into the semiconductor substrate. The mask definesareas for the first channel, the first sense transistor, the secondchannel, and the second sense transistor. In versions of the instantexample in which the common terminal transistor is an MOS transistorhaving a common drain, the mask may define areas for placement ofdopants to form sources of the first channel, the first sensetransistor, the second channel, and the second sense transistor. Inversions of the instant example in which the common terminal transistoris a bipolar junction transistor having a common collector, the mask maydefine areas for placement of dopants to form emitters of the firstchannel, the first sense transistor, the second channel, and the secondsense transistor. The mask may be an ion implant mask or a diffusionmask. The mask may include photoresist, and may be formed by aphotolithographic process. The mask may include polymer and may beformed by an additive process such as an ink jet process. The mask mayinclude inorganic material such as silicon dioxide or silicon nitride,suitable for a diffusion mask. Masks having other materials and formedby other methods are within the scope of the instant example.

FIG. 7 is a view of an example microelectronic device having a commonterminal transistor, depicting current flows into and out of themicroelectronic device. The microelectronic device 700 has asemiconductor substrate 702, and the common terminal transistor 704. Theinstant example will describe a vertical common terminal transistor 704.Other transistor orientations are within the scope of the instantexample. The common terminal transistor 704 has a common node 706extending to a first surface 708 of the semiconductor substrate 702. Forsome examples, the common node 706 may include a common drain, or acommon source, for MOS versions of the common terminal transistor 704.For other examples, the common node 706 may include a common collector,or a common emitter, for bipolar junction versions of the commonterminal transistor 704.

The common terminal transistor 704 includes a first channel 712, a firstsense transistor 724, a second channel 714, and a second sensetransistor 730. The first sense transistor 724 is located in the firstchannel 712, so that the first channel 712 is laterally adjacent to thefirst sense transistor 724 on at least three sides of the first sensetransistor 724, with two of the sides being opposite from each other.Similarly, the second sense transistor 730 is located in the secondchannel 714, so that the second channel 714 is laterally adjacent to thesecond sense transistor 730 on at least three sides of the second sensetransistor 730, with two of the sides being opposite from each other. Inthe instant example, the first channel 712 includes a first channel nodelocated proximate to a second surface 720 of the semiconductor substrate702. The second surface 720 is different from the first surface 708 andis located at a surface of the semiconductor substrate 702 opposite fromthe first surface 708. Similarly, the first sense transistor 724includes a first sense node located proximate to the second surface 720.The second channel 714 and the second sense transistor 730 include asecond channel node and a second sense node, respectively, locatedproximate to the second surface 720. In versions of the instant examplein which the common node 706 is a common drain, the first channel nodeis a source of the first channel 712, and so on, for the first sensetransistor 724, the second channel 714, and the second sense transistor730. In versions in which the common node 706 is a common source, thefirst channel node is a drain of the first channel 712, and so on. Inversions in which the common node 706 is a common collector, the firstchannel node is an emitter of the first channel 712, and so on. Inversions in which the common node 706 is a common emitter, the firstchannel node is a collector of the first channel 712, and so on.

In the instant example, in which the common terminal transistor 704 hasa vertical orientation, current flow into the first channel 712 may berepresented as a uniform first channel current density, denoted “J_(C1)”in FIG. 7, into the second surface 720, distributed across a firstchannel node of the first channel 712. Similarly, current flow into thesecond channel 714 may be represented as a uniform second channelcurrent density, denoted “J_(C2)” in FIG. 7, into the second surface720, distributed across a second channel node the second channel 714.Current flow into the first sense transistor 724 may be represented as afirst sense current density, denoted “J_(S1)” in FIG. 7, into the secondsurface 720, distributed across a first sense node of the first sensetransistor 724. The first sense current density may be similar inmagnitude to the first channel current density. Similarly, current flowinto the second sense transistor 730 may be represented as a secondsense current density, denoted “J_(S2)” in FIG. 7, into the secondsurface 720, distributed across a second sense node of the second sensetransistor 730. The second sense current density may similarly besimilar in magnitude to the second channel current density.

Current flow out of the common terminal transistor 704 may berepresented as a common current density, denoted “J_(COMMON)” in FIG. 7,through the common node 706 distributed across the first surface 708.The common current density may or may not be uniformly distributedacross the first surface 708, depending on the first channel currentdensity and the second channel current density.

A potential distribution of an electrical potential in the semiconductorsubstrate 702 may be estimated by solving Poisson's equation in thesemiconductor substrate 702, with boundary conditions which include thefirst and second channel current densities into the first channel 712and the second channel 714, respectively, at the second surface 720, andthe common current density out of the common terminal transistor 704through the common node 706 and then through the first surface 708.Further boundary conditions may include no current flow through lateralsurfaces 764 of the semiconductor substrate 702. Poisson's equation maybe expressed in the form of Equation 1:d ² V(x,y,z)/dx ² +d ² V(x,y,z)/dy ² +d ² V(x,y,z)/dz ²=0  (1)

Where V(x,y,z) is the electrical potential at a point with coordinatesx, y, and z. A coordinate axis 766 is shown in FIG. 7 for reference.

The boundary conditions at the lateral surfaces 764 may be expressed inthe form of Equation 2 and 3:dV(x,y,z)/dx| _(x=0,a)=0  (2)dV(x,y,z)/dy| _(y=0,b)=0  (3)

Where a and b are the lateral dimensions of the semiconductor substrate702 in the x and y directions, respectively.

The boundary condition of the common current density at the firstsurface 708 may be expressed in the form of equation 4:dV(x,y,z)/dz| _(z=0) =ρ·J _(COMMON)  (4)

Where ρ is the resistivity of the semiconductor substrate 702 at thepoint (x,y,z).

The boundary conditions of the first and second channel currentdensities at the second surface 720 may be expressed in the form ofequation 5:dV(x,y,z)/dz| _(z=c) =ρ·J _(C1,2)  (5)

Where ρ is the resistivity of the semiconductor substrate 702 at thepoint (x,y,z), and c is the thickness of the semiconductor substrate 702in the z direction.

A general solution of Poisson's equation may be expressed in the form ofEquation 6:

$\begin{matrix}{{V\left( {x,y,z} \right)} = {{B_{00}z} + {\sum\limits_{m = 1}^{\infty}{B_{m}{\cos\left( \frac{m\;\pi\; x}{a} \right)}{\sinh\left( \frac{m\;\pi\; z}{a} \right)}}} + {\sum\limits_{n = 1}^{\infty}{B_{n}{\cos\left( \frac{n\;\pi\; y}{b} \right)}{\sinh\left( \frac{n\;\pi\; z}{b} \right)}}} + {\sum\limits_{m = 1}^{\infty}{\sum\limits_{n = 1}^{\infty}{B_{mn}{\cos\left( \frac{m\;\pi\; x}{a} \right)}{\cos\left( \frac{n\;\pi\; y}{b} \right)}{\sinh\left( {k_{mn}\pi\; z} \right)}}}}}} & (6)\end{matrix}$

Where B₀₀, B_(m), B_(n), and B_(mn) are coefficients to be determinedthat provide the solution for the case being investigated. SolvingPoisson's equation may provide a relatively quick estimate of thepotential distribution, advantageously reducing time to develop a designfor the semiconductor device 700.

The potential distribution in the semiconductor substrate 702 may bealso estimated using a three dimensional modeling software program suchas a finite element analysis software program. Such programs arecommercially available at the time of this disclosure from severalvendors, including, but not limited to, Synopsys and Silvaco. Thesolution of Poisson's equation may provide a convenient starting pointfor the modeling software program. Use of the modeling software programmay provide a more detailed estimate of the potential distribution.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart disclosing an example method of determining afirst sense location and a second sense location for a microelectronicdevice containing a common terminal transistor. The common terminaltransistor may have properties per any of the examples disclosed inreference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4. The method 800 of FIG. 8 may providean implementation of steps 604, 606, and 608 of the method 600 forforming a microelectronic device containing a common terminaltransistor, disclosed in reference to FIG. 6.

The method 800 begins with step 802: estimating a solution of Poisson'sequation to provide an estimated potential distribution in thesemiconductor region for a first channel current through the firstchannel and a second channel current through the second channel.Estimating the solution of Poisson's equation may proceed as disclosedherein, or by another approach.

Step 804 is selecting a first sense location and a second senselocation. On a first pass through step 844, the first sense location anda second sense location may be estimated using the results of thesolution of Poisson's equation. On subsequent passes through step 804,the first sense location and a second sense location may be estimatedusing results from other methods of estimating the potentialdistribution in the semiconductor region, as described in reference tostep 808. The first sense location is selected so that a first sensetransistor at the first sense location has a minimum cross-talk withrespect to the second channel current. The second sense location isselected so that a second sense transistor at the second sense locationhas a minimum cross-talk with respect to the first channel current. Thefirst sense location and the second sense location may be selected byany of several methods. In one example, the first sense location and thesecond sense location may be selected by a local optimization searchmethod, which uses results of a previous proposed location to provide anew proposed location. In another example, the first sense location andthe second sense location may be selected by a comparison of a figure ofmerit, such as cross-talk, for all locations in a grid array. Othermethods for selecting the first sense location and the second senselocation are within the scope of the instant example. On a first passthrough step 844, the first sense location and a second sense locationmay be estimated using the results of the solution of Poisson'sequation. On subsequent passes through step 804, the first senselocation and a second sense location may be estimated using results fromother methods of estimating the potential distribution in thesemiconductor region, as described in reference to step 808.

Step 806 is a decision operation: determining if the first senselocation and the second sense location each provide less than a targetcross-talk level. If the result of step 806 is TRUE, that is, both thefirst sense location and the second sense location each do provide lessthan the target cross-talk level, the method 800 may be terminated, asindicated in the flowchart of FIG. 8. If the result of step 806 isFALSE, that is, either the first sense location or the second senselocation, or both, does not provide less than the target cross-talklevel, the method 800 is continued with step 808.

Step 808 is estimating the potential distribution in the semiconductorregion for the first channel current and the second channel current,using a three dimensional modeling software program. The threedimensional modeling software program may use the solution of Poisson'sequation from step 802 as a starting point. After the potentialdistribution is estimated using the three dimensional modeling softwareprogram, the method 800 is continued by returning to step 804.

Steps 804, 806, and 808 may be iterated to provide more accurateestimates of the potential distribution in the semiconductor region. Forexample, a finer grid may be used in the three dimensional modelingsoftware program in successive iterations.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosedembodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadthand scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the disclosure shouldbe defined in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a first channel configuredto conduct a channel current, the first channel comprising: a firstterminal; a second terminal; and a sense transistor configured toprovide a sense current; and a second channel comprising: the firstterminal; and a third terminal; and wherein a ratio of the sense currentto the channel current is less than a predetermined level.
 2. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the first terminal is a drain, the second terminalis a first source, and the third terminal is a second source.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the first channel comprises a first gate andthe second channel comprises a second gate.
 4. The device of claim 3,wherein the sense transistor comprises a sense source, a sense gate, anda sense channel.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the sense gate iselectrically coupled to the first gate.
 6. The device of claim 2,wherein the drain is for the sense transistor.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the first terminal is a collector, the second terminal is afirst emitter, and the third terminal is a second emitter.
 8. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the channel current is a first channel current, thesense transistor is a first sense transistor, the ratio is a firstratio, the predetermined level is a first predetermined level, and thesense current is a first sense current, wherein the second channel has asecond channel current, the second channel further comprising a secondsense transistor configured to produce a second sense current, wherein asecond ratio of the second sense current to the second channel currentis less than a second predetermined level.
 9. The device of claim 8,wherein the first predetermined level is 1 percent or less of the secondchannel current.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the sense current isproportional to the channel current.
 11. The device of claim 1, whereinthe first channel is a transistor type and the second channel is thetransistor type.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the second channelis smaller than the first channel.
 13. A method comprising: producing,by a first channel, a first channel current, the first channelcomprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and a sense transistor;producing, by a second channel, a second channel current, the secondchannel comprising the first terminal and a third terminal; andproducing, by the sense transistor, a sense current, wherein a ratio ofthe sense current to the first channel current is less than apredetermined level.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the firstterminal is a drain, the second terminal is a first source, and thethird terminal is a second source.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinthe first terminal is a collector, the second terminal is a firstemitter, and the third terminal is a second emitter.
 16. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the sense transistor is a first sense transistor, theratio is a first ratio, the predetermined level is a first predeterminedlevel, and the sense current is a first sense current, the secondchannel further comprising a second sense transistor, the method furthercomprising producing, by the second sense transistor, a second sensecurrent, wherein a second ratio of the second sense current to thesecond channel current is less than a second predetermined level. 17.The method of claim 13, wherein the first channel is a transistor typeand the second channel is the transistor type.
 18. The method of claim13, wherein the first channel is a transistor type and the sensetransistor is the transistor type.
 19. A system comprising: a first loadconfigured to conduct a first current; a second load configured toconduct a second current; and a microelectronic device comprising: afirst channel configured to provide the first current, the first channelcomprising: a first terminal; a second terminal; and a sense transistorconfigured to provide a sense current; and a second channel configuredto provide the second current, the second channel comprising: the firstterminal; and a third terminal; and wherein a ratio of the sense currentto the first current is less than a predetermined level.
 20. The systemof claim 19, wherein the first terminal is a drain, the second terminalis a first source, and the third terminal is a second source.